Wallowa Llamas ease pain of traveling deep into Eagle Cap Wilderness

View full sizeJamie Francis/The OregonianWallowa Llamas is a backcountry outfitter designed to help visitors get deep into Oregon's biggest wilderness, the Eagle Cap of northeast Oregon.

There's something about llamas that make you wonder who they think is the smarter _ you or them.

They hold their heads erect and stare right through you _ usually.

THIS TIME I GOT THE LOOK.

Usually, hikers are supposed to step off the trail and let a pack train of horses, mules or llamas pass.

When I did that this time, the lead llamas looked at me and conveyed a simple thought: Out of my way, idiot.

Unknowingly, I stepped off the trail into the unmarked path the llamas were using to arrive at camp near Crater Lake in the southern Wallowa Mountains. I didn't know they were going that way, but they sure did.

When I figured it out and discovered another place to wait, they resumed their normal superiority attitude and walked safely past me.

The llamas were with Wallowa Lllamas, a Halfway backcountry outfitter. The group was led by business owner Raz Rasmussen and helpers Tom and Linda Collier. They had about 10 clients in tow, most from the Seattle area.

It sure looked like those hiking while the llamas carred the heavy gear ey were having an easier time making their way through the backcountry than us backpackers. And they were eating a lot better, too. Though I bet the llamas preferred their grass over their hikers' tuna cacciatore.